Adopting a Dog – Buying & Savings Tips | Consumer Advice | Local Businesses | DexKnowshttp://local.dexknows.com
Tips for Smart Local ConsumersTue, 01 Oct 2013 17:12:51 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4Bringing Home a New Puppy, Part 2http://local.dexknows.com/bringing-home-a-new-puppy-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bringing-home-a-new-puppy-part-2
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 12:34:23 +0000http://besmartlocal.dexknows.com/?p=493Just like a baby, a puppy spends a lot of time on the floor and loves to put things in his mouth. Dex can help you find stores that offer both information about pets and pet supplies, but it’s up to you to puppy-proof your home. Do so by following these tips:

Get down on all fours, both indoors and out — put yourself at puppy level and see what he will see. Power cords, furniture legs, shoes and just about anything on a low table or shelf will draw his attention. Remove everything you can and hide what you can’t, either in organizers or behind closed doors. In the case of furniture, create a natural chewing deterrent by mixing 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper with every 1 cup of water in a spray bottle; apply to hard surfaces.

Perform the same inspection and prevention tasks outdoors, checking any fences and deck railings to ensure your pup can’t get through or under. Never leave a puppy unattended around a pool. Remove any toxic plants and/or mulch from the yard.

Make sure your pup has plenty of approved chew toys as he teethes, as gnawing on certain items can prove harmful to his health. Veterinarians commonly treat puppies that ingest items they should not.

Hide all trash cans. Your puppy will see every trash can in the house as an unexplored toy box. Put trash cans under the sink in the kitchen and bathroom, or purchase bins with locking lids to prevent such adventures.

Block off any stairs. If you have a child in the home, you likely have a baby gate you can reuse to keep your pup from attempting the stairs before he’s ready to do so safely. If not, pet and pet supply stores have plenty of options for creating barriers.

Create a den and play space. Decide where your puppy will sleep and place his crate there. Putting him in your bedroom will provide him comfort, as it will likely be the first time he goes to sleep without a pile of snoring littermates.

If you plan to crate-train your pup, which you should, he will be in the crate when you are not home. That doesn’t mean you can spend every minute while in the house keeping an eye on him. Use the baby gate or a pet playpen to keep him contained in a play space. Line the floor of the space with puppy training pads to soak up any accidents.

Increase puppy-proofing as he grows. As your puppy grows, he gains access to items higher up in the home and yard. Larger pups will be able to access countertops, something to keep in mind in both the kitchen and the bathroom. If he proves especially adventuresome, you may want to keep him crated at all times when not home or consider one of the many pet day care and boarding options listed on DexKnows.

Once you dog-proof your home, keep it that way by not placing items within his reach without thinking. Do you really want to leave your cell phone on the floor by a curious pup? Probably not.

]]>Bringing Home a New Puppy: Basic Supplieshttp://local.dexknows.com/bringing-home-a-new-puppy-basic-supplies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bringing-home-a-new-puppy-basic-supplies
Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:59:24 +0000http://besmartlocal.dexknows.com/?p=475Puppies have needs that include much more than lap time and fingers to nibble. Before bringing your pup home, stop by a pets and pet supply store for the following items:

Crate

While you might be tempted to simply hold your puppy on the ride home, it’s not the safest option for the pup or the driver. Purchase a sturdy carrier with ventilated sides and a door that latches shut. The crate should be big enough that your puppy can stand up and turn around. Place an old towel at the bottom of the crate for padding and to soak up any accidents that may happen on the way home. The safest place for the crate will be in the cargo hold of your vehicle or in the back seat, secured to the seat with the safety belt. It’s the safest way to travel, whether on the way home, to pet grooming, or to pet day care and boarding facilities.

Collar and Tags

Your puppy’s first neck-wear can be a simple buckle collar. If you have other collared dogs in the home or a fence on which a collar could easily catch, then a break-away collar is a good option. You may eventually upgrade to a training collar or harness, depending on your pup’s breed and behavior, but a simple collar with an ID tag works well in the beginning. Be sure to include your cell phone number on the tag.

Leash

Purchase a short leash in a durable material, one that either clips to your puppy’s collar or slips around its neck independent of the collar. Do not use a retractable leash with a puppy — many trainers argue they should never be used, no matter the age of the dog — as it can encourage pulling.

Training Pads

Your best option for house-training your puppy involves using the crate you purchased for both unsupervised time and sleeping. Place a training pad on the bottom of the crate and the pup on top. Your puppy will not want to go to the bathroom inside the crate, but if an accident happens, simply toss the pad and replace with a fresh one. Whenever you let your pup out of the crate, immediately head outside together for a potty break.

Toys

Most stores that offer both information about pets and pet supplies will have a special section dedicated to puppy toys. These toys take into account the size of a puppy and also your pup’s desire to chew. The Kong Puppy Toy in particular makes an excellent chew toy because of its soft rubber. Invest in several toys, but don’t introduce them all at once: puppies like new toys.

Food, Treats and Bowls

Your family veterinarian can point you toward the best food and treats, taking into account your pup’s age and breed. If you do not have a family vet and need help sorting through the many veterinarians in your area, Dex can help. Choose sturdy food and water bowls that can take a knock or two from an enthusiastic eater.

Other Items

Your puppy will love having a bed to lounge on near all of the action, but keep your pup in the crate for extended sleep time to stay on track with house-training. Also stock up on odor-eliminating spray for accidents in the house. Don’t forget poop bags for walks: responsible dog owners always pick up after their pups.

]]>Adopting a Dog: Vaccinations, Medications and Supplementshttp://local.dexknows.com/adopting-your-first-dog-vaccinations-medications-and-supplements/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=adopting-your-first-dog-vaccinations-medications-and-supplements
Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:22:03 +0000http://besmartlocal.dexknows.com/?p=379Your recently adopted dog needs just a few things: a place to sleep, toys for play and expert health care. If you have yet to sort through the many veterinarians in your area, use DexKnows to find the right one, then schedule an appointment to ensure your new pup gets all of the necessary vaccinations, medications and supplements.

Vaccinations

Bring any medical records provided by the adoption organization or breeder with you to the appointment. For puppies, the standard schedule calls for distemper and parvo vaccination at 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age, plus rabies vaccination at 16 weeks. Adult dogs need these same vaccinations, but in the form of annual boosters. If you plan to take advantage of pet grooming services or must leave your dog in pet day care and boarding, your vet also will administer a vaccination against the highly contagious bordetella disease. Veterinarians also recommend canine hepatitis and canine leptospirosis vaccinations for dogs living in high-risk areas.

Medications

Two medications remain standard for all dogs, no matter where they live. Heartworm medication protects dogs from mosquito bites that transfer the roundworm parasite. Prevention proves essential because the infection can be fatal. Even veterinarians in areas of the country without large mosquito populations strongly recommend the medication, as man-made bodies of water that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes have caused the number of heartworm-infection cases to rise. Your vet will also recommend flea/tick prevention. This medication does not require a prescription, and you may be able find it for less at pet supply stores. Other medications for your newly adopted pup will depend on its individual health situation.

Supplements

Veterinarians also recommend certain supplements to encourage healthy and happy lives. An older dog may take glucosamine to ease aches and pains caused by arthritis. Fish oil eases itchy skin caused by allergies, and seaweed products help reduce plaque and put off professional teeth cleaning, which requires anesthesia, for years.

In general, a veterinarian should be your main source of information about pets and pet supplies such as medications and supplements. If you see a lower price for a medication online or in a pet supply store, ask your vet to match the price. Veterinarians often will, as they cannot ensure the efficacy of products they don’t personally provide, and they want to keep your dog safe and healthy. You need not purchase supplements through your vet — and many don’t sell them — but be sure to seek guidance before giving any new product to your pup. Once you’ve adopted your new pet, DexKnows can also help you find pet supply stores near you.

]]>How to Choose the Right Pet for Your Homehttp://local.dexknows.com/pet-adoption-how-to-choose-the-right-pet-for-your-home/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pet-adoption-how-to-choose-the-right-pet-for-your-home
Tue, 15 May 2012 20:38:48 +0000http://besmartlocal.dexknows.com/?p=240

Preparing to adopt a pet requires that you think about many factors before welcoming this new addition into your family. Here are a few to get you started. To find a local place to adopt that dog, cat, or maybe a parrot, look in the Dex Knows listings.

Think about your home environment

Though you may have always wanted a Great Dane, if you live in an apartment downtown, this probably isn’t the best choice. Likewise, you may want to shy away from dogs with thick heavy coats that may not do well during hot muggy summers if you live in Chicago or some places in the South. Choose a pet that will thrive where you live.

Consider your lifestyle

An independent cat is probably a better choice than a dog for someone who works 12-hour days. If you have a more flexible schedule that better complements having a dog, pick one that’s a good match for your level of physical activity: A collie or lab would love accompanying you on a daily run, whereas a pug or French bulldog will be happiest curled up on your lap in front of the TV and out of the heat. Whatever type of pet you’re interested in, study the breed’s characteristics and traits to ensure a good match.

Take into account pet allergies

Make sure that all of your family members are tested for pet allergies before introducing a four-legged friend into your home. If allergies are a concern, consider hypoallergenic breeds such as a cockapoo dog or a Sphynx cat — or bring home some pretty tropical fish instead.

Tips & Warnings

A new pet requires many upfront costs, such as a physical exam with a vet, spaying or neutering and licensing fees. Before choosing a pet, make sure you have the budget to properly care for one.